D.S. Maolalai

they are bringing down trees
around tallaght in marlfield. it’s been wanting
to happen, and a letter gone out
to the residents / rental house
owners. I’m here, overseeing
on behalf of the agent, to ensure
things are done right to spec.
we walked through some months
ago, david and a lady called
sylvia, picking trees out
like cows to be burgers – those
growing up against buildings
and driving at walls like wild
bulls. there’s a process, unfortunately –
trees must grow where
they’re supposed to –
but you do feel a bastard the same.
on the pavement, crows stand about;
men wearing anoraks, beneath
a bus shelter in rain. men stand
about also, smoke cigarettes,
drink from hot flasks and trade lies
about women. someone’s parked car
has been left just below a marked poplar.
someone’s been knocking
on doors for a while now
to see if anyone knows whose it is.

D.S. Maolalai has received eleven nominations for Best of the Net and seven for the Pushcart Prize. His poetry has been released in three collections: “Love is Breaking Plates in the Garden” (Encircle Press, 2016), “Sad Havoc Among the Birds” (Turas Press, 2019) and “Noble Rot” (Turas Press, 2022).